Ironing machine



Nov. 15, 11938.

w 1. J. MCCABE IRON ING MACHINE Filed March 2l, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet l J.J. Mec/x55 2,136,722

IRONING MACHINE Filed Maron 21, 1954 5 sheets-sheet 2 47 INVENTOR M'fe@6L A RNEY J. J. MCCABE IRONING MACHINE Nov. 15, 1938.

Filed March 2l, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ORNEY `IRONING MACHINE Nov. 15,1938.

Fiied March' 21, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 i .MNM

IN VENT OR fra-14 Nov. 15, 1932. J. J1 MCC/ABE IRONING MACHINE FiledMarch 21,1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Patented Nov. 15, 1.1938V Nl'reo,STATES RRONING MAC "Mil i:

. John J.

Meeste, cleveland, ohio, assignmte'rne l l Apex Electrical ManufacturingCompany, Cleveland, 0h10, a corporation of Ohio Application March zi,i934, serial No. 716,632

29 Claims.

This invention relates to ironing machines and it constitutes in part acontinuation of my copending applications Serial No.'664,'l66, whichissued on February 23, '1937, as Patent No1 2,071,888, and Serial No.664,'76'1, which issued on January 12, 1937, as Patent No. 2,067,719,both of which applications were filed on April 6, 1933.

The present invention has for one of its objects the provision of animproved ironer shoe support and adjustable tensioning means foreffecting resilient pressing engagement between an ironer roll and anironer shoe.

Another object oi the invention has to do with an improved form ofmanually operable safety release for the ironer shoe which, upon theapplication of a relatively slight force, may be operated either toinstantly release the shoe from I `contact with the roll or to bring theshoe into pressing engagement with the roll.

Another object of the invention relates to certain improvements forrotatably supporting' an ironer `roll and for automatically'andselectively connecting and disconnecting it with respect to the ironermotor when the shoe and roll are brought into and separated frompressing engagement respectively.

Another object of the invention involves the provision of a frictionclutch with improved and generally simpliiied means for preventinglfrictional drag between the cooperating driving and driven clutch partsupon the disengagement thereof. i

Another object of this invention is concerned with the provision of animproved flexible shoe support adapted to permit resiliently restrainedtilting movement of theshoe with respect to its length.

A further object of the invention relates to the provision of an ironingmachine ofl sturdy and inexpensive construction having a generallysimpiied power driven mechanism for eiecting the operation of themachine. I

With these and other objects in view, the inl vention consists in thenovel construction, ar-

rangement and combination of parts,A hereinafter illustrated anddescribed in some of its embodiments'in the accompanying drawings, andparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevational view partly in sectionillustrating some of the details of one embodiment of this invention;

Figure 2 i`s an enlarged detail view4 of the clutch and associatedgearing of the ironing machine illustrated in Figure 1;

l actuation of the shoe;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5, 5

. Figure 3;

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail view of the ironing shoe and itssupporting arm'taken on line 6-B. Figure 3;

Figure I is an enlarged detail view of the co- 10 'operating meanscarried by the shoe for its pivotal support taken on line 11, Figure 3;

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 8-8, Figure1, illustrating the means' provided for adjusting and maintaining 15 theironing pressure between the roll andthe shoe;

` Figure 9 is an enlarged detail view taken on line 9--9, Figure 3,illustrating the manually operated means for bringing the roll and shoeinto 20 and out of contact with each other;

Figure l0 is a perspective view of one of the 'shoe actuating members; I

Figure 11 is a perspective view of another of the shoe actuatingmembers; l

' Figure 12 is afperspective view of the end. of one of the shoesupporting tubes;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of another form of ironing machineillustrating certain modifications ot the invention disclosed intheprevious 30 views of the drawings;

Figure 14 is an enlarged side elevational view partly in sectionillustrating certain details of the shoe support of the ironer shown inFigure 13 and the manual means provided for its actu- 35 ation; i

Figure 15 is an end elevational view taken on line l5l5, Figure` 14,illustrating the details of the shoe support and means provided for theFigure 16 is a detail sectional view taken on line I6-l6, Figure 19,illustrating certain details provided for adjusting the force of thepressing engagement 'between the roll and shoe;

Figure '1'7 is an enlarged plan view taken on 45 line Il--l1, Figure 15,of the toggle joint provided for .the manual operation of the shoe; eFigure 18 is an enlarged detail view taken on line lil-48, Figure 14showing certain details of the means provided for the securement of theshoe with `respect to its supporting arm; l Figure 19 is an enlargedplan view taken on line I9-I 9, Figure 15 of thedetails of the meansprovided for adjusting the pressure between the roll and the shoe;

v ;-20, Figure 19;

Figure 2l is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 2|-2|, Figure 14illustrating certain details of the connection between the shoe of theironer and its supporting arm; and

Figure 221s a side elevational view of a modified form of mechanismwhich can be used in place of the toggle joint shown in Figures 15 and1'1.`

'I'he ironing machine shown in Figures 1 to 12 is of the type which isadapted for domestic use. The machine is provided,with a stand orsupporting structure including a base member I, carried on supportinglegs 2 which may be provided with casters (not shown) to facilitate themovement of the machine about from place to place. A combined motor capand ironer supporting member 3 is flxedly secured at one side to thebase member I and at its opposite side it is secured to the stator stack4 of an electric motor which is provided for driving the ironer. n

A switchl having an operating member 5 at the front of the ironer isprovided for controlling the operation of the motor. Fixedly secured tothe upper side of the stator 4 of the motor, there is secured anintegrally formed combined cast metal motor cap and gear case 8. Thepart 6 houses most of the operating mechanism of the machine and itsupports an ironing roll 1 having suitable padding 8 and a shoe i8having an electric heating element and rear cover |2. The current supplyof thel heating element of the shoe is controlled by means of a switch(not shown) which is located alongside of and behind the motorcontrolling switchS shown in Figure l.

The casting 6 has a centrally bored boss |3 which provides a bearing forthe shaft |4 of the electric motor, such shaft being provided at itsouter end with a worm I5, meshing with a worm gear I6, which ismountedfor rotation in the casting 3. 4'I'i'ie worm `gear I8 isthreadably secured to a cup-shaped clutch member I1 having an axiallyextending part I8 which is keyed at i9 to a shaft 20. 'I'he oppositeends of this shaft are mounted in ball bearings 2| and 22.

A pinion 23 is threadably secured to the projecting part I8 of thecup-shaped member I1. The worm I5 thus serves to drive the worm gear I8,the clutch member I1 and the pinion 23 at all times during the operationof the motor. The annular rim 24 of the cup-shaped member |1 serves asone of the driving elements of a roller type clutch, the driven elementof which is formed by a member 28 having cam faces 28 and 21 andcoacting rollers 28 and 33.

hThe roller 28 coacts with the cam face 28 and the rim partv 24 toprovide driving connection between the clutch parts for movement in onedirection and the roller 33. coacts with the cam face 21 and the annularrim part 24 to provide driving connection between the clutch parts formovement in anopposite direction. Suitable springs 3| and 32 havingassociated plungers 33 and 34 are provided to urge the rollers 28 and 30A into driving\engagement with the driving and the drivenclutch parts.

The engagement between the driving clutch member 24 and the drivenclutch member 28 is under control of a member which is rotatably andloosely carried on the shaft 23." The clutch control member 33 has alaterally projecting finger 36 provided ,for engaging and shifting theroller 30. An oppositely projecting part 31 is provided at one end ofthe member 3l -i'or contact engagement with the stops of a. member whichis to be described in detail presently. 'I'he opposite end 38 of themember 31a/provides an abutment for the spring 3|.

During the operation of themotor the driving clutch member 24 rotatescontinuously. The actuation of the clutch control member and theengagement and disengagement between the driving and driven clutchmembers 24 and 25 respectively is effected by means of a shiftableplate-like member 39 having offset stops 40 and 4| which can be movedinto and out of the path described by the oilset part 31 during itsrotation about the axis of the shaft 20.

The stops 40 and 4| engage the part 31 at points spaced substantiallyone hundred and eighty degrees apart with respect to the circular pathtraveled by the member 31 about the axis of the shaft 20. Normally themember 39 is maintained so that its -stops 40 and 4I are in the path oftravel of the offset part 31 of the clutch controlling member 35 to holdthe same ina position corresponding toits clutch disengaging position.

The following action of the parts, shown best in Figure 2, takes placeduring the disengagement of the clutch. The part 31 upon-initial contactof one or the other of the stops 40 or 4I causes the member 35 to pivota slight amount about the roller 30 compressing the spring 3|. 'I'hismovement is made possible by reason of the loose flt of the member 35about the shaft 20. As viewed in Figure 2 when the member 35 contactswith the upper side of the shaft 20 further compression of the spring 3|is prevented and the finger 36 then moves the roller 30 out ofconnecting engagement with the cam face 21 and the inner surface of therim 24, thereby disengaging the driving connection between the drivingand the driven members of the clutch.

Upon the stoppage of the driven parts of the clutch the spring 3|operates to further move the roller an additional amount from itsinitial released position until the clutch control part 35 assumes theposition relative to the shaft 20 as illustrated in Figure 2 of thedrawings, whereupon no further movement of the clutch parts takes placeuntil the clutch stop in contact with the oifset Apart 31 is withdrawnfrom obstructing position. A cammember 42 having a slot through whichthe finger 31 projects is carried over one end of the clutch and servesas a cover therefor.

The purpose of arranging and operating the aforesaid clutch parts in themanner described is to prevent frictional drag between the driving andthe driven clutch parts when the clutch is disengaged. In the presentconstruction the spring 3| has the added function ofl moving the roller30 to a completely disengaged position with respect to the cooperatingdriving and driven clutch parts, therebyv eliminating frictional drag inthe clutch and also preventing overheating of the clutch by reason ofsuch frlctional drag.

'I'he highly important results just described are made possible by thesimple expedient of providing an enlarged opening in the clutchcontrolling member 35 ior the reception of the shaft 20 and by utilizingthe clutch roller spring 3| in the manner described, the completearrangement being one of utmost simplicity and relatively inexpensiveconstruction. The reversely acting cam face 26 and the roller 28 areprovided to prevent -overrunning of the driven clutch parts with respectto the driving clutch part when the shoe and roll are separated fromyielding pressing contact with each other about which more will be saidlater.

Separate hand and foot operated means are provided for optionallycontrolling the clutch. The hand operated clutchvcontrol means comprisesan external button 43 located at the front side of the machine Where itmay be easily reached by the operator. This button is mounted on the endof a plunger rod 44 which is secured at its other end in any suitablemanner,`such as by means of the pin 45, to the slidable clutch controlplate 39. In a similar manner a pin 46 is used to secure a plunger rod41 to the opposite end of the plate 39. A spring 48 is carried at `thispoint to normally maintain the plate 39 in the position shown in Figure3 vof the drawing which position corresponds to the position ofdisengagement for the clutch. Oil seals 49-49 engage with the plungerrods 44 and 41 to prevent the escape of lubricant from the gear casecasting 6.

The plunger 41 is slidably carried in a threaded coupling member 50which serves as a support means for one end of a flexible conduit 5|within which there is provided a flexible control wire 52 which issecured at one end by means of a threaded member 53 to a similarlythreaded end part of the rod 41. The other end of the flexible wire 52is adjustably secured by means of a set I screw 53a to a bell crank 54,pivoted at 55 to a floor engaging supporting fixture 56 which isprovided with a foot operated button 51 xedly secured to a plunger 58,provided for contacting with one arm of the bell crank 54. The other armof the bell crank is provided with an offset part 60 which is engaged byone end of a compression spring 6|, the other end of which abutsagainst' the underside of the supporting ixture 56.`

From the foregoing it is apparent that the driving engagement betweenthe cooperating clutch members 24 and 25 may be readily eiected bypressing either the hand button 43 or the foot button 51 whicheverhappens to be most convenient for the operator or for the class of workbeing ironed. In the actuation of the aforesaid buttons they are.pressed in only momentarily. This operation permits the driving anddriven clutch parts 24 and 25 to move into engagement with respect toeach other for upon release of the finger 31 the spring 32 moves theroller 38 into frictional engagement with the cam face' 21 and the rim24. l'

The driven clutch part is then rotated `about one-half turn until thefinger-31 engages one or the other of the stops or offset parts 40 or 4|of the control plate 39 whereupon the disengagement of the clutch partsis effected in the manner previously described and the driven clutchpart 25 remains stationary until the aforesaid clutch controls are againoperated. The movement of the driven. clutch part serves to drive thecam 42 which is xedly secured'to the driven clutch part 25 by anysuitable means such as the rivets 62.

The cam 42 is in contact engagement with a roller 63 rotatably carriedon one end of a lever 64 which is rigidly secured by means voi' a pin66' to a rotatably mounted tubev61 and a spring torsion rod 68. Theroller 63 of the crank 64 is maintained in contact with the cam 42 bymeans of a spring v65 which abuts at one end in a suitable pocket formedin the gear case casing 6 and which at the other end is received in asuitable recess provided by the crank arm 64.

The rod 68 is provided with screw threads at its opposite ends and oneof these threaded ends of the rodis received in a threaded cylindricalmem.-

. the axis of the tube 61.

ber 69 `located inside the fixed end of the tube 61. The member 69 isalso fixed with` respect to the lever 64 by the pin 66. The outer end ofthe torsion rod 68 is threaded into a crank member 18. This member hasan arm 1| which is provided with a threaded hole for reception of an`adjusting screw 12. The parts attached to the threaded ends of the rod68 are locked in their adjusted positions by means of a pair of locknuts 13-13. Preferably the ends of the rod 688 are threaded so that thetwisting the rod is subjected to will tend to further tighten the nuts13 and if desired other meansy may be used for insuring the lockedengagement between the rod and the members attached to its ends.

The gear case casting 6 is provided with a laterally extending hollowboss 14 in which is rigidly iitted one end of a supporting tube 16. Inthe opposite ends of this tube are lfitted bushings 16 and 11 whichprovide bearings for the tube 61. A pair of crank members 188 and 19 arerotatably mounted on the outer end of the tube 61 Iand they are held inposition thereon by any suitable means such as a bolt 88 threaded intothe outer end of the tube 61. A T-shaped slot 8| is formed in this endofthe tube 61 to provide means for locating the crank member 18 inposition in the tube and also to permit the arm 1| of this crank memberto have a certain limited amount of rotational movement with respect toThe crank member 18 is also cut away at 82 for the accommodation of thearm 1| of the crank 18.

The torsion rod 68 acts as a spring for providing resilient pressingengagement between the ironer shoe andthe ironer roll. The adjustingscrew 12 is provided to pre-load the torsion rod 68 to provide a'predetermined pressure between the vroll and shoe when they are inengagement with each other. This pre-loading of the rod is made possibleby reason of the fact that the ends of the rod 68 and the tube 61 arerigidly Vsecured to each other at one end and at their other ends theadjusting screw 12 of thearm 1| of the crank member 18 which is xed tothe end of the rod 68 engages with the arm 84 of the crank member 18which is journaled on the end of the tube 61i. The crank 18 has a setscrew 83 which normally contacts with one end of the crosswise part ofthe T-shaped slot 8| so that the tube 81 and the crank arm 84 of thecrank 18 can oppose the twisting moment of the torsion spring 88.

The crank arm 84 is connected by means of an end-threaded stud shaft 85to one end of a toggle joint formed by a pair of toggle links 86 and 81which are pivotally joined to each other by means of an end-threadedstud shaft 88. At its outer end the link 81 is pivotally secured bymeans of an end-threaded stud shaft 89 to the arm 90 of the crank member19 which is journaled on the outermost end of the tube 61. Another arm93 of the crank member 19 pivotally carries the ironer shoe I8 at itsoutermost end.

The shoe I8 is flexibly secured ata point intermediate its' length tothe arm 93 by means of a pair of rearwardly projecting relativelyresilient yielding ears 94-94 xed to the sh and which have non-circularopenings 95 for receiving correspondingly formed notched ends of a pin96, the intermediate part of which is formed with a channeled or groovedpart 91, the ends of which are arranged to engage with a screw 98iixedly carried by the arm 93 of the crank 19. The end of the screw 98cooperates with the ends of the channeled or grooved part of the pin 96to provide stops for limiting the movement of the shoe 0 about the axisof the pin 96. 'I'he shoe contacting ends 99 of the ears 94 which may besecured to the shoe by means of the rear cover thereof are oiset aslight amount to permit the shoe ends to tilt in a slightly restrainedvmanner a small amount with respect to the roll as is necessary for theaccommodation of articles being ironed which vary in thickness along theline of conta'ct between the ironer roll and shoe.

'I'he limiting positions of the shoe are shown in full and dotted linesrespectively in Figure 6 of the drawings. 'I'he full line positioncorresponds to the operative ironing position of the shoe and the dottedline position corresponds to the position the shoe may be shifted to forthe purpose of. cleaning or polishing the ironing surface thereof. TheT-shaped slot 8| of the tube 61 is positioned and located so that thestop screw 83 moves only a slight distancefrom the end of the slot whenthe shoe is moved into pressing engagement with the roll, thuspermitting -maximum separation between the roll and shoe for the varioustension adjustments ofthe rod 68.

The elements described thus far, relate primar-l ily to the membersprovided for the actuation of the shoe as well as the means provided'for insuring yielding pressing contact between the roll and the shoewhen they are `in engagement with each other. Normally during theoperation of the driving motor of the ironer the roll 1 is stationary.When the shoe moves into contact with the roll, the roll isautomatically connected in driven relation to the motor, and converselywhen the shoe is moved away from the roll such driving connectionbetween the motor and the roll is automatically disconnected.

The driving of the roll is effected through the constantly driven gear23 which serves to drive a gear |02, in meshing engagement therewith.The gear |02 is fixed to one end of a shaft |03 and at its other endthis shaft carries a gear |04 which is free to rotate a slight amount onthe shaft under restraint of a coiled spring |05. The gear |04 has anenlarged keyway or' slotv |06 for loosely receiving akey |01 xedlycarried by the shaft |03 and by means of which the gear |04 is driven.

The teeth of the gear |04 normally rotate clear of the teeth of aninternal gear |08, flxedly secured in one end of the 'roll 1 by anysuitable means such as the screws |l0. One end of the roller 1 isprovided with a radially movable bearing and at its other end the rolleris rotatably supported by means of a bearing ||2 which is arranged topermit slight radial movements of the opposite end of the roller. Theroller 1 is held in position on a supporting shaft or tube ||3 by meansof a suitable bolt ||4 and Washer I5 carried on the end of the tube.

'I'he movable bearing member has an elliptical slot ||6 traversed by theroll supporting shaft or tube |l3. -The slot ||6 is provided to permitcertain limited radial movements of the bearing and the end of the rollrelatively to the tube ||3. The gear case casting 6 is provided at oneside with an extending part ||1 Ahaving drilled radial openings at oneedge-for reception of a pair of springs |8--||8. vThese springs presssuitable plungers ||9| I9 against the bearing member urging such bearingmember and the end of the roll supported thereon in a direction radiallyof the tube I3 to maintain the gears |04 and 08 out of mesh. 'I'he webof the bearing member has a slot for receiving a bolt |20 carried by thegear case part ||1.

'I'he bolt is provided to prevent rotation of the bearing while at thesame time permitting the described radial movements of the bearing.

When the shoe is moved into engagement- With 5 the roll the end of theroll carrying the gear |08 moves a slight amount with the shoe until thebearing is brought into contact with the edge |2| of the gear case part||1. As this movement is eected the gears |04 andA |08 are brought into10 meshing engagement with each other and the roll is thus connected indriving relation with respect to the ironer motor and it is rotatedcontinuously during the operation of the ironer motor until the shoe 'isWithdrawn from the contact l5 with the roll. In the event that the teethof the gears |04 and |08 are not in proper alignment at the time oftheir initial contact the permissible spring restrained movement of thegear |04 with respect to its shaft will lallow sulcient rela- 20 tivemovement between the gears |04 and |08 to insure proper meshingengagement between these gears. 'I'he ends of the teeth of the'gear |04are rounded oi as shown in Figure 4 to facilitate their meshingengagement with each other. 25

It is sometimes desirable to operate the machine without rotatingtheroll as for example when it is intended to use the machine as a pressrather than as an ironing machine. Means are provided for preventing theroll driving gears 30 |04 and |08 from being moved into engagement witheach other. These means comprise a rotatable pin |22 which is carried inthe offset part ||1 of the gear case casting 6. This pin is held inposition by means of a balll |23 which is urged 35 by a spring |24 intoan annular slot |25 formed inthe pin |22. One end of this pin is notchedat |26 and it also has a\hole drilled in its side for receiving anoperating rod |21 having a handle4 |28 by means of which the pin isrotated about its axis. o

When the pin is rotated from the position shown in Figure 3 the side ofthe pin is presented to the bearing member and as the pin is rigid in sofar as radial movement with respect to the roll axis is concerned, whenthe shoe 5 is brought intof engagement with the roll the meshingengagement between the gears |04 and |08 is thus prevented The operatinghandle |28 is positioned above the roll at one end thereof where it maybe easily manipulated by the user 50 of the machine.

Other means are provided for utilizing the machine as a press. Thesemeans comprise an operating lever |30 which is pivoted at a pointintermediate its length to the base l of the ma- 55 ditions the togglelinks 86 and 81 will maintain 65 the substantially aligned positionshown in Figure 9 of the drawings.

When the lever |30 is raised from the position shown in Figure 1 of thedrawings and when the shoe and the roll are in pressing engagement with70 each other, the connection provided by the toggle links 86v and 81 isbroken and the shoe can be manually moved away from the roll. In aslmilar manner when the lever |30 is'manually u l 2,188,722 moveddownwardly from the position last described, the toggle links 86 and 81are brought into alignment and the shoe is thus forced into pressingcontact with th`e roll. d

The stated operations can be performed without the use oi the drivingmotor of the ironer, and the elements just describedalso serve as asafety release for moving the shoe away from the roll as might benecessary in the event of l stoppage of the motor or in caseone oi theoperators hands is drawn between the roll and the shoe. The breaking ofthe toggle joint requires the exertion of but a very slight pressure onthe handle and due to the great leaverage provided by the handle |30 andthe toggle links the reverse movement of the shoe into pressingengagement with the roll is accomplished with equal ease.

In the modified form of construction shown in Figures 13 to 22 of thedrawings, the ironing machine illustrated follows in general the form ofmachine shown in my Patent No. 2,067,719, and it comprises' a table-likestructure |40 for the support ofthe ironer which has a rotatable roll|4| and a heated shoe |42. Suitable gearing and Vdriving mechanism arehoused within a gear case |43 located at one end of the roll and shoe.The mechanism and gearing in the gear case |43 is arranged to rotateDthe roll and also to move the roll toward and away from the shoe asindicated in dotted lines in Figure l5. .The shoe is flexibly mounted toprovide. for resilient pressing contact between the roll and the shoewhen the roll is moved into contact with the shoe.

In so far as the improvements of the machine shown ln Figure 13 areconcerned mainly with the shoe and its supporting means, furtherreference will not be made to the operating mechanism of of the roll,other than to state that its movements are under control of a pushbutton |44 which is conveniently mounted at the top of the gear case|43. r

The shoe |42 at its rearward side is provided with a pair of ears|45-|45 ofslmilar construction to the shoe supporting ears mentioned inconnection with the description ofthe machine shown in Figures 1 to 12andsuch ears are provided with non-circular holes |46.-|46 for receivingthe notched ends of a shoe supporting pin |41 which is rigidly securedto the ears by means of a pair of bolts |48.

The pin |41 is provided with a circumferential channel intermediate itslength which extends part way around the pin axis. The groovedpart ofthe pin is received in a suitable bearingprovidedat the upper end of ashoe supporting arm |5| whichis drilled and threaded for the receptionof a screw |52. The end of this screw projects into the channeled slot|50 of the pin |41 and the screw thus serves to limit the movement ofthe shoe about the axis of its pin |41 so that the shoe may be rotatedto present its surface in a position corresponding. to the positionshown in dotted lines for the form of the y invention shown in Figure 6of the drawings, whereupon the ironing surface of the shoe may becleaned or polished.

` The shoe supporting arm |5| is provided with a spring |53,at a pointintermediate its ends. The spring |53 is held in position on the shoesupporting arm by means of a screw |54 and at its outer exposed end thespring is provided with a cap |55. The spring |53 engages the lower edgeof the shoe and serves to move the shoe a slight amount about the axisof the pin |41 when the roll and shoe are not in pressing contact, thepurpose being to insure that the trailing edge of the shoe is the iirstto engage the roll when they are moved into pressing contact with eachother. This arrangement and mode of operation helps to prevent wrinklingof the articles being ironed as sometimes occurs when the front edge ofthe shoe engages the roll and an article to be ironed, at or beforethetime the rest of the shoe engages the roll.

The shoe supporting arm |5| is secured to av torsion rod |56 by means ofa pin |51. The torsion rod |56 is journaled' in suitable bearings |58and |60. the former of which is carried in a shoe supporting tube |6|and the latter of which is rigid with and surrounded by a boss |62 ofthe gear case |43. At this end o! the'rod |58 a crank arm |63 is securedby means of a pin |84. The other end of the crank arm is pivotallyconnectedv by. means of a stud shaft |65 to one end oi a toggle link|66, the other end of which is pivotally connected by means of a pin |81to the end of a`lever |68 which forms the cooperating link of the togglejoint.

Intermediate its length the lever |68 is pivoted at |10 to a supportingbracket |1| carried by the supporting structure |40 of the ironer. Anoperating handle |12 is provided for th\e manipilation of the lever |68.When the operating handle |12 is depressed the toggle is .broken and theshoe is moved rearwardly away from the roll. When the handleA |12 israised tothe position last described, the toggle is brought into itsaligned position and the shoe is moved to the position shown in Figure15 of the drawings.

This arrangement provides a safety release for moving the shoe away fromthe roll and it also serves to utilize the rn'achine as a pressingdevice without necessitating the need of operating the motor as theleverage of the `operating handle is so great that very little force isnecessary to bring the shoe and roll into pressing engagement. A stop|18 carried by the member I1 I engages the lever |68 when the toggle ismoved to its locked or aligned position. In practice it is preferred,when the lever |88 is in engagement with the stop |12, to have thetoggle normally out of alignment a slight amount so that there is atendency to maintain the aforesaid parts in this position.

The torsion rod |56 is ordinarily pre-loaded a slight amount whichloading may be varied by means of an eccentric part |14 formed on thestud shaft |65 which eccentric part is journaled in the lower end of thecrank |63. An adjusting member |15 having a rectangular hole forreception of a similarly formed part of the stud shaft |65 is providedfor adjusting the eccentric |14. This member has an operating handlev|16 which is held in various desired positions of adjustment by means ofa series of notches |19 formed in the rearmost end of the toggle member|88. The adjusting member |15 is urged against this lend of the togglemember by means of a spring |11 which is held on the stud shaft |65 bymeans of a pin |18 and by the reason of thisarrangement the edge of thehandle |16 maybe main-` tained in any one of the notches |19. Both thespring means or torsion' rod |56 and the manu-V,

ally operable com or eccentric part |14 are Ainterposed in the shoesupporting means and they are located intermediate the shoe and itsoperating member or handle |12. The eccentric part |14, the operatinghandle |16 and the notches |19 constitute a `cam with multiple stagesora muln finished appearance of the ironer.

tiple stage adjustment by means of which the ironing pressure may beadjusted to a plurality of different pressures. y

Due to the pre-loading of the rod |56 there is a tendency for the shoeto follow the roll when the roll is moved away from the shoe. 'Thismovement is limited in extent by means of an adjustable bolt V|80 fixedin the base |40 which engages with a part |8| carried by and rigid withthe shoe supporting arm l'5i. The adjustmenty of the aforesaid partsnormally is such that when the shoe and roll are in pressing contact thepart |8| is maintained out of contact with the bolt y|80 a very slightamount. A bolt |82 which is threaded into the bearing |58 is used tosecure the hollow casting |83 to the base |40 and to the end of the tubeISI. This casting is formed with smoothly blended surfaces and serves toconceal the end of the shoe supporting arm |5| and also yto addconsiderably to the The casting |83 also assists in supporting the shoeof the machine, in stiiening the base |40 and in strengthening andincreasing the rigidity of the entire supportingv structure of theironing elements of the machine.

In Figure 22 amodifled form of shoe release mechanism is shown which canbe used in place of the arrangement shown in Figure 15 and in which theshoe operating crank member |03 would be replaced by a crank member |8|having a roller |92 at its lower end. This roller is engaged by a cam|50 ilxed to one end of a shaft |05 which is journaledin a bearing |88carried by the base |40 of the ironer. The depending skirt at the frontof the base member i 40, is received between a collar |81 'and a crank|03, fixed to the other end of the shaft |85.

' The crank |83 has an operating handle |04 by means of which the cam|80 may be rotated to manually move the shoe toward and away from theroll. The profile of the cam |90 preferably is arranged so that thegreatest leverage of the shoe shifting mechanism is available justbefore the shoe reaches its operative position and for other positionsof the shoe agiven movement of the handle |94 will effect a relativelylarge movement of the shoe. The toggle joint mechanism shown in Figures15 and 17 will also operate in much the same manner it being acharacteristic s `of such joints that the mechanical advantage of thesystem rapidly increases as the links of the joint are brought intoalignment.

From the foregoing it is apparent that the ironing machine describedherein has many adg vantages and improvements, some of which include theuse of the machine as a pressing device without requiring the operationofthe driving motor, the use of a torsion rod to provide for thepressing contact between the roll and shoe,

the elimination of the customary clutches and v theiroperaitng meansordinarily used in starting and stopping the operation of the roll, theprovision of an easily operated safety shoe release and manuallyoperated pressing device, the' provision "of an improved and simplifiedmeans for adjusting the pressure between the roll and the shoe, suchmeans including provisions to maintain a constantclearance betweentheroll and the shoe when they are separated from each other, the provisionoffan ironing machine of pleasing and attractive appearance, and theprovision of a generally simplified and inexpensive mechanism foraccomplishing the desiredresults.

Furthermore it is to be understood that the thereon with one end only ofsaid roll arranged for radial movement, a cooperating heated ironingmember also carried by said supporting structure, power means forrotating said roll including an internal gear fixed inside the roll atthe radially movable end thereof and a driving pinion normally out ofmesh therewith, and means for effecting relative movement between saidroll and member for bringing them into pressing contact with each otherand for radially movingthe end of the roll to bring said gear and pinioninto meshing engagement with each other.

2. In an ironing machine, a relatively rigid supporting structure, aroll rotatably mounted thereon, a cooperating ironing member alsocarried by said supporting structure, and means for effecting relativemovement between said roll and member towards and away from each otherfor bringing them into yielding pressing engagement and for separatingthem from each other selectively, such means comprising a spring torsionroc! and means for preloadlng said spring torsion rod a substantialamount when said roll and member are separated for increasing thepressure between said roll and ironing member when they are brought intopressing engagement with each other.

3 In an ironing machine, a relatively rigid supporting structure, a rollrotatably mounted thereon, a cooperating ironing member also carried bysaid supporting structure, and power means for effecting relativemovement between said roll and member toward and away from each otherfor bringing them into pressing engagement and for separating them fromeach other selectively, such means comprising a source of power and aspring torsion rod providing a yielding operative connection betweensaid member and said source of power and means for preloadlng Vsaidspring torsion rod a substantial amount when said roll and member areseparated for increasing the pressure between said roll and ironingmember when they are brought into pressing engagement with each other.

4;. An ironing machine comprising, cooperating ironing members includingapadded rotatable roll and a heated shoe, power means for rotating `saidroll and Vfor shifting one of said ironing members alternatively intoand out of pressing engagement with the other, and independent manuallyoperable means for shifting the other of said ironing members into andout of pressing engagement with the power shifted ironing member, saidmanually operable means including an operating member located adjacentto the front of the machine where it is readily accessible for use bythe machine operator.

5, An ironing machine `comprising, cooperating ironing members includinga padded rotatable roll and a heated shoe, power means for rotating saidroll and for shifting said roll alternatively into and out of pressingengagement with said shoe, and independent manually operable means forshifting said shoe into and out of Dressing engagement with said roll,said manually operable means including an operating member locatedadjacent to the front of the machine where it is readily accessible foruse by the machine operator.

6. In an ironing machine, a relatively rigid supporting structure, arollrotatably mounted thereon, a cooperating ironing member also carried bysaid supporting structure for movement sure exerted by'said rod betweensaid roll andf ironing member when theyv are brought into engagementwith each other without however decreasing the amount of separationbetween said roll and ironing member when the ironing member is in itsinoperative position. i

7. In an ironing machine, a relatively rigid supporting structure, aroll rotatably mounted thereon, a cooperating ironing member alsocarried by said supporting structure for movement betweensubstantiallyfixed operative and inoperative positions, and. means for moving saidironing` member into orout of pressing engagement with said roll, suchmeans comprising a spring torsion rod and means connecting one end ofsaid rod to said ironing member, said rod being secured at its other endto devices carried by said supporting structure whereby the rod providesfor yielding pressing contact between said roll and ironing member,means for adjusting the pressure exerted by said rod between said rolland ironing member when they are brought into engagement with each otherwithout however' changing the-amount of separation between said roll andironing member when the ironing member is in its inoperative position,and a manually operable safety device associated with said rod securingdevices for releasing the securement'oi' said rod with respect to saidsupporting*v structure. i

8. In an ironing machine, a shoe, and a yieldw ving supporting structurefor said shoe comprising,

a rigid shoe supporting arm, an offset resilient member xed at one endwith respect to said shoe at a point intermediate the length thereof,said resilient member being oiset in a direction parallely to thel axisof the shoe whereby tilting of such shoe axis may take place in ironingwork of irregular thickness, and means for pivotally securing the otherend oi said resilient member to said shoe supporting arm.

9. An ironing machine comprising, a supporting structure, a padded rollrotatably mounted thereon, a cooperating heated ironing member alsocarried by said supporting structure, means for effecting relativemovement between said roll and member for bringing them into pressingcontact with each other, and power means for rotatingsaid roll includingpower transmission means having a portion xed to rotate-with said powermeans and another `portion fixed to rotate with said roll andconstituting a disconnectible driviing connection Vbetween the portionsof said power transmission means which is engageable in vre- 'sponse tothe contact pressure between said roll and member.

ing structure, a padded roll rotatably mounted thereon, acooperatingheated ironing member also carriedby said supporting structure, meansfor moving said heated ironing member into and out of pressing contactwith said roll, and power means for rotating said roll including powertransmission means having a portion iixed to rotate with said powermeans and another portion iixed to rotate with said roll andconstituting a disengageable driving connection between the portions ofsaid power transmission means in which driving engagement thereof iseffected in response to the contact pressure between said roll andmember when they are brought into contact with each other.

1l. An ironing machine comprising, a supporting structure, a padded rollrotatably mounted thereon, a cooperating heated ironing member alsocarried by said supporting structure, means for effecting relativemovement between said roll and member for bringing them into pressing.contact with each other, and power means for rotating said rollincluding power transmission means having a portion fixed to rotate withsaid power means and another portion iixed to: rotate with said roll andconstituting a disengageable connection between the portions of saidpower transber for bringing them into pressing contact with` A eachothermea ns driven bysaid motor Afor rjoj- 40 tating said roll'including power transmission means having a portion fixed to rotate withsaid motor and a cooperating portion xed to rotate,

with said roll and constituting a disconnectible driving connectionbetween the portions of said power transmission means which isengageable in response to the contact pressure between said roll andmember, and operator-operated means for effecting relative movementbetween said roll and member for bringing' them into pressing contactwith each other and for moving said roll laterally of said supportingstructure, and power means for rotating said y roll including powertransmission means having a portion fixed to rotate with said powermeans. and a cooperating portion iixed to rotate with said rolland-constituting a disconnectible driving connection between theportions of said'A power transmission means which is engageablein'response tothe contact pressure between said roll and member.

14. An ironing machine comprising'a supporting structure, a paddedrollfrotatably and movably mounted thereon, a cooperating heated ironingmember also carried by said supporting structure, means for eectingrelative movement between said roll and member'for bringing them intopressing contact with each other and for movingone end of said rollradially of vits axis .of rotation, and power means for rotating.saidroll including power transmission means having a portion ilxed torotate withl said power means and a cooperating portion xed to rotatewith said roll and constituting a disconnectible driving connectionbetween the portions of said power transmission means which isengageable in response to the contact pressure between said roll withsaid member.

15. An ironing machine comprising, a supporting structure, a paddedrollrotatably mounted thereon, a cooperating heated ironing member alsocarried by said supporting structure, means for eil'ecting relativemovement between said roll and member for bringing them into pressingcontact with each other, and power means for rotating said rollincluding normally disengaged drivingfand driven gears mounted forrelative bodily movement and movable into driving engagement with eachother in response to the contact pressure between said vroll and member.

16. An ironing machine comprising, a supporting structure,' a paddedroll rotatably mounted thereon, a cooperating heated ironing member alsocarried by said supporting structure, power means for rotating said rollincluding a driven gear ixedly carried by the rpll and a cooperatingdriving gear xed to rotate with said' power means, said gears beingmounted for relative movement into and out oif meshing engagement withrespect to each other in response to the application and release ofcontact pressure between said roll and member, and means for eifectingrelative movement between said roll and member for bringing them intopressing contact with each other and for connecting said driving anddriven gears as aforesaid. Y

17. An ironing machine comprising, a supporting structure, a padded rollrotatably mounted thereon, ,a cooperating heated ironing member alsocarried by said supporting structure, power means for rotating said rollincluding power transmission means comprising a driving part operativelyconnected to said power means and a driven part operatively connected tosaid roll, said parts being movable into engagement with each other inresponse to contact pressure between said member and roll. and manuallyoperable means for eiIecting relative movement between said rolland'member to bring them into pressing contact with each other and foreiecting driving engagement of the driving and driven parts oi' saidpower transmission means.

' 18. An ironing machine comprising, a supporting structure, a paddedroll rotatably mounted thereon, a cooperating heated ironing member alsocarried by said supporting structure, power means for rotating said rollincluding power transmission means comprising a driving part operativelyconnected to lsaid power means and a driven part operatively connectedto said roll, said parts being movable into engagement with each otherin response to contact pressure between said member and roll, andmanually operated means and power operated means either of which isindependently usable for eiecting relative movement between said rolland member to bring them into pressing contact -with each other and foreffecting driving engagement of the driving and driven parts of saidpower transmission means.

19. Inan ironing machine, cooperating ironing members, a flexiblesupporting structure for one of said ironing members comprising a pivotpin and a pair o! resilient elements, each being iixedly l secured atone end to such ironing member and xedly secured at their other endto'saidpivot pin and having oiset portions intermediate their length,the axis of said pivot pin being arranged longitudinally of said ironingmember so as to permit movement thereof about such axis, said elementsbeing adapted because of their resiliency to permit tilting movements ofsaid last-named ironing member with respect to the other ironing memberwhen the thickness of the goods being ironed is different for differentportions of the ironing members 4between which it is engaged.

20. In an ironing machine, a relatively rigid supporting structure,cooperating ironing elements including a roll rotatably mounted on saidsupporting structure and an associated ironing member also carriedby'said supporting structure, and means for effecting relative movement.between said ironing elements towards and away from each other forbringing them into yielding pressing contact and for separating themfrom each other selectively, such means comprising a spring torsion rod,means associated with one end of said torsion rod for operativelyconnecting the same with respect to one ot said ironing elements, anoperating mechanism, means associated with the otherV end ot saidtorsion rod for operatively connecting the same with respect to saidoperating mechanism and adjusting means including an eccentricinterposed between said torsion rod and said operating mechanism forpre-loading said spring torsion rod a substantial amount when said rolland member are separated for increasing the pressure between said rolland ironing member when they are brought into pressing engagement witheach other.

21. An ironing machine comprising, a supporting structure, cooperatingironing elements carried by said supporting structure including a heatedmember and a padded roll, means for mounting said roll for bothrotational and lateral bodily movements, shifting means for effectingrelative movement between said ironing elements for bringing them intoand out of pressing contact with respect to each other, power means forrotating said roll including a source of power and a disconnectibledriving connection between the roll and the source of power, saiddisconnectible driving connection including an element fixed to rotatewith said roll and a cooperating element liked to rotate with saidsource of power, and means including said shifting means for eectingmovement of the aforesaid elements of said disconnectible drivingconnection into yielding engagement with each other in response A tocontact pressure between said' cooperating ironing elements.

22. An ironing machine comprising, a support- 'ing structure,cooperating ironing elements car- 'l tate with said roll and acooperating gear fixed to rotate with said source of power, and meansincluding said shifting means for effecting movement of the aforesaidgears of said disconnectible driving connection into yielding meshingengage- Vit tact with respect to each other, power means for rotatingsaid roll including a source' -of power and a disconnectible drivingconnection between the roll and the source of power, said disconnectibledriving connection including an internal gear `:tlxed inside said rolland rotatable therewith and a cooperating driving pinion locatedalongside of the internal gear and xed to rotate with said` `als i insaid shoe supporting means to make the consource of power, and meansincluding said shifting means for eiecting movement of the aforesaidgear and pinion of said disconnectibledriving connection into meshingengagement with eachother in response to contact pressure between saidcooperating ironing elements` 24. In an ironing machine of the classvdescribed, the combination of an ironing roll, a

Vshoe cooperatively supported therewith, an operating member andinter-connectingn mechanism for moving the shoe into contact vwith therollv tact between the shoe and roll resilient, and a` manually operablecam interposed inthe shoe supporting means to adjust the pressure'between the roll and shoe.

26. In a power driven `ironing machine, the combination vof an ironingroll, an ironer shoe, 'mechanism for revolving the ironing roll andactuating pressure contact between the shoe and the roll, shoesupporting means, spring means interposed in the shoe supporting meansto make the contact between the shoe and roll resilient,

and a manually operable cam with multiple stages interposed vin the shoesupporting means to adjust the pressure between the roll and shoe forvariable thicknesses of garments.

27.' An ironing machine comprising a stand,

.a housing structure at one end thereof, a roll' support projecting fromsaid' housing structure. a padded roll mounted on said supportfor bothrotational movement and bodily movementcwith respect thereto, an ironingshoe arranged to cooperate with said roll in effecting the ironing andpressing operations when the roll and shoe are in contact with eachother, a power unit, mechanism operatively connected to said,

power unit to eiect relative movement between said shoe and roll andbodily movement of said roll with respect to said support, and meansoperatively connected to said power unit torotate said roll .comprisinga gear within said roll and fixed to rotate therewith, a shaftprojecting from said housing structure and a pinion fixed to said shaftinside said roll, said pinion and gear being moved into and out vofmeshing engagement with each other in response to the actuation of saidmechanism in eiecting bodily movement of the roll with respect to saidsupport.

28.V An ironing machine comprising a stand,

r a housing structure at one end thereof, a roll support projecting fromsaid housing structure, a padded roll mounted on said support for bothrotational movement and bodily movement with respect thereto, an ironingshoe arranged to cooperate with said roll in eiecting the ironing andpressing operations when the roll and shoe unit #to effect relativemovement between said shoe' and roll and bodily movement of said rollwith respect to said support, means operatively connected to said powerunit to rotate said roll comprising a gear xed with respect to said rollinternally thereof, a shaft projecting from said housing structure and apinion inside ofv said roll and xed to rotate with said shaft, saidpinion and gear being moved into and out of meshing engagement with eachother in response to the actuation of said mechanism in effecting bodilymovement of the roll with respect to said support, and manuallycontrolled I means to prevent rotation of said roll upon actuation ofsaid mechanism comprising a'member within said roll operatively arrangedwith respect to said gear and pinion to prevent meshing engagementthereof.

29. An ironing machine comprising, a supporting structure, cooperatingironing elements carried by said supporting 'structure including aheated member and a padded roll. one of said ironing elements beingmounted for relative movement with respect to the other, means includinga relatively rigid support extending into said roll for mounting thevroll for rotational movement, power means for effecting relativemovement of said ironing elements into and out of pressing contact witheach other, roll drive means including a pair of gears inside said rollfor rotating the roll, one of said gears being are in contact with eachother, a power unit,

mechanism operatively connected to said power adapted to be rotated bysaid power means and ments are brought intopressing contactwith' eachotherby said power means.

JOHN J. MccABE.

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